Veal & Eggplant Ragu

Ingredients

1 small to medium eggplant, half the skin peeled off in strips, then flesh diced

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons EVOO

1 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 pounds ground veal

10 - 12 leaves fresh sage, thinly sliced

A few grates fresh nutmeg or a pinch ground nutmeg

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 - 3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/3 cup half-and-half

1 strozzapreti, pici or other sturdy cut pasta

Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Preparation

Season the eggplant with salt and let drain on a kitchen towel for a few minutes.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

In a Dutch oven or large, deep skillet, heat the EVOO, two turns of the pan, over medium; melt the butter into the EVOO. Add the veal and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; add the sage and nutmeg. Increase the heat to medium-high; stir in the onion, garlic and eggplant. Partially cover the pan and cook, stirring, until the vegetables soften, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the tomato paste; cook 1 minute. Add the wine, scraping the bottom of the pan. Add the stock and half-and-half. Reduce the heat to medium- low and simmer the ragu while the pasta cooks.

Salt the boiling water, then cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving half a mug of cooking water. Stir some of the cooking water into the ragu, then toss the pasta with the ragu. Season; top with grated cheese.